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Friday, April 10, 2009

Go - It's a BIG Word!

The "Great Commission", as I've posted about here, before tells Christians to "go and tell" the Good News of Jesus. But thatlittle bitty word "GO" can seem mighty BIG when we think about that command, can't it? Yes, in that instance GO IS A BIG WORD! Let's think about how Matthew 28:16-20(click to read)makes it a big word.

1.GO is a BIG word because it implies something about you, if you are a child of God. It says that Jesus Christ has caused a change in your life and that He has impacted you in such a way that you want to share Him with others. Can you say in words what it means to have Jesus in your life and to explain to other how you are living for Him?

2. GO is a BIG word because it contains a BIG purpose. In this passage we are told to go "make disciples" 'Go' is a simple word. 'Make disciples' are simple words. So how does "go make disciples" (disciples means "followers") become so complex and difficult?

For some, past sins may have had such a hold for so long, that even though now forgiven, we don't feel strong enough to consider ourselves a disciple. We may feel that we have to be a "perfect" Christian before we would feel comfortable telling others about Jesus. And, guess what? You'll never find a perfect Christian. The only perfect man that ever lived on the earth was crucified on a cross for you! However, the blood of that Savior can perfect you in God's eyes and with his forgiveness.

And then, sadly, for others, there is no intention to obey this command of Jesus and God's Will for all Christians. Those who may believe that the Great Commission is for everyone else, but not for them.

"Go make disciples" is not difficult, but it contains a big purpose. It is a grand purpose and our lives should be consumed with this purpose. This purpose being the goal of the early church is what made it grow, as we see in the following scriptures:

With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:40-47

Notice in the first bold printed verse: 3,000 souls were added that day!!Notice in the second bold printed verse: The Lord added to their number daily!!

The early church was doing what the church is supposed to do: The Lord's business. Making disciples. And, the Lord added to the church....daily.

...Okay, this post is getting long and this is important stuff we're talking about! I'm going to ask you (please) to come back for the last two points on the next post which will be Saturday evening sometime. Have you ever heard how the human mind can only take 22 minutes of speaking from a public speaker? I doubt a blog post is even half that much!